Electrical On-orbit Hardware Reliability Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. As a Satellite On-Orbit Hardware Reliability Engineer on Starlink, you will track, investigate, and analyze electrical and mechanical hardware failure modes on the largest space vehicle fleet in history. Your daily work will include a combination of hardware testing, on-orbit data analysis, and collaboration with design, production, and operations engineers to act in response to on-orbit hardware anomalies. You will use a mixture of electrical engineering analysis, statistical methods, and on-orbit experiments to achieve root cause for various failure mode investigations. You will provide critical insight at multiple points in the design and production process to ensure that hardware reliability increases over time. Your experience will span the full scale of Starlink’s satellite engineering process: from the detailed physics of failure in a single hardware component, to its implications for the entire constellation, to the decisions made for future designs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or other STEM discipline
1+ years of professional experience in hardware development, hardware troubleshooting, or data analysis (internship/co-op experience is accepted)
1+ years of experience with Python and/or SQL

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering degree
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross-functional role
Experience analyzing/designing electrical circuits and developing functional test plans
Experience with PCBA test equipment and measurement techniques (oscilloscope, multimeter, electronic load, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, vector signal generator, source measurement unit, etc.)
Strong understanding of computers and programming languages (Python, C/C++)
Strong understanding of time series data analysis and reliability statistics
Strong understanding of failure mechanisms for electronic, mechanical, or optical systems
Experience leading failure investigations and root cause analysis
Experience performing environmental tests such as HALT/HASS campaigns, thermal cycling, vibration and shock testing, space environment effects testing

Responsibilities

Analyze and track on-orbit hardware failures for the Starlink satellite constellation
Drive root cause investigation for major on-orbit hardware anomalies
Perform electrical bench testing and develop engineering models of failures to root cause and mitigate hardware anomalies
Work closely with engineers from adjacent disciplines (electrical, mechanical, thermal, software, test, operations, production) to eliminate sources of on-orbit failure
Drive continual improvements to our constellation by building and using tools to analyze data collected both on-orbit and in ground testing
Continuously improve the feedback loop from space using a mix of effective communication and automation

Benefits

comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
access to a 401(k) retirement plan
short and long-term disability insurance
life insurance
paid parental leave
various other discounts and perks
3 weeks of paid vacation
10 or more paid holidays per year
paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law
Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday
long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
potential discretionary bonuses
ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan